Vehicle-propelling mechanism.



W. H. SUMMERS.

vEmcLB PnoPBLLING nomma. f

APPLIOATIOH FILED HOV. 8, 1907.

915,058. l Patented Mar. 9, 1909.

`W 5535s.- v I NVENTQR.

y ATTORNEY.

` W. H. SUMMBRS. VEHICLE PROPELLING MEGHANISM. APPLICATION FILED NOV.-8, 1907.

915,058. Patented Mar. 9, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

l of my invention wiLLIAM n. sUMMERs, or WORLAND, MissoURi.

VEHICLE-PROPELLING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 9 1909.

pploation filed November 8, 1907. 'Serial No. 401,291.

To all whom ivf-may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. SUMMERS, a citizen of the United States,residing '.at Worland, in the county of Bates and State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-PropellingMechanisms, of which the followingV is a specificationf My inventionrelates'to improvements in vehicle propelling mechanisms. The object ofmy invention 1s to providea vehicle, such as an automobile, in` which4manually controlled steering mechanism is actuated by the poweremployed to propel the vehicle.

My invention provides further, -novel" means for applying the drivingrpower to all four wheels of .the vehicle.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described andIclaimed.

ln the accompanying drawings illustrative Figure 1 is a view partly inplan and partly in horizontal section, showing a vehicle equipped withmy invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line a-b of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a perspective of-,one ofthe collars, such as is affixed to thehub of each carrying wheel. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of one of thespherical collars or bearings which are mounted on the front and rearaxles. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectiontaken on the dotted line c-cl ofFig. 1. v Fig. 6 is,a vertical section on the line e-f 'of Fig. .1. Fig.7 is 'a view partly in plan and partly in horizontal section of the twoaxles,- carrying wheels and steering mechanism, two positions of theseveral parts being indicated byv solid and dotted lines respectively.Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the dotted line g-h of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 isa vertical section on the dotted line i-q' of Fig.` 1. tion taken on thedotted line c-Z of Fig. 1.

Similar lcharacters of reference" denote similar parts.

1 and 2 denote the rear and front axles and 3 and 4 four 'carryingwheels rotatively mounted on the rearand front axles respectively. Ahorizontal frame 5 has pivoted thereon, in the manner hereinafterdescribed, the two axles 1 and 2. Secured upon opposite sides of theforward end ofv the frame 5 .by transverse bolts, are two rectangularplates- 7, eachprovided with an outwardly extending, central annularflange S, encircling an outwardly flaring, central, transverse hole 9.Onthe axle 2 is mounted a spherical collar or bearing block 10, provided-with an mounted on the axle .11.

secured respectively to the axles 1 and 2 by Fig. 10 is a vertical sec-Yaxial rectangular hole 11, in which the axle 2 is fitted. A -similarcollar 10 is similarly The collars 1U are the transverse pins i12. 1nthe forward and rear ends of the fra1ne'5 are provided trans verseopenings for receiving the spherical col- ,lars 10. The plates 7 areprovided with spherical seats 13 on the sides adjacent the frame toreceive the forward spherical collar 10. Upon opposite sides of the rearend of the frame 5 are secured by bolts 6', two plates 7', each'lofwhich is provided with a spherical seat 13 to receive the sphericalcollar 10, mounted on the rear axle 1. The plates 7', as is illustratedin Fig. 8, are pro vided each with a horizontal, flaring hole 9', whichpermits the rear axle 1 to swing in a horizontal plane in the plates 7 jBy reason of the flaring shape of the hole 9 in each plate 7 the frontaxle 2 is capable of being swung on the front spherical collar 10 intwoplanes at right angles to each other. The plates 7 have mounted upontheir annular fian `es 8 two rotary members comprisingr prefera ly twospur gear wheels 14 which are held in position by means of two collars15 secured to said flanges by any suitable means. Meshing with ythe spurgears 14 respectively are two pinions 17, rigidly secured respectivelyto two horizontal shafts 18 disposed in axial alinement with each otherand rotatively inountedin transverse openings rovided in the frame 5.Secured respective y on the inner ends of the shafts 18 are two bevelgear wheels 19 between which is disposed a spur gear wheel 2() whichis..rotativelymounted on the inner endsof .the shafts 18, and mesheswith a pinion 21.

Secured on and rotatable with a horizontal shaft 22, rotatively mounted1n transverse openings provided 1n the vertical arms 23 ol a U-s'hapedbracket, Athe horizontal portion Aofwhich is secured to the undersideol' the .wagonrbox 23". 'lheshaft 22 is a rotary driving shaft and hassecured upon it a pul-.

ley 24 by whichthe shaft is rotated, the pul- .ley being driven by abelt, not shown, connected with a motor, not shown, which is carried bythe vehicle. rltotatively mounted on the annular flanges .8 of theplates 7' are two rotary members', preferably spur gears 14', which areheld-'in position on said flanges by collars 15', shown in Fig. 6. Thegears 14' mesh with pinions 17,' secured upon and rotative with twohorizontal shafts 18', to

lwill transmit rotation to the pinion which are` secured respectivelytwo bevel gear wheelsA 19. Rotatively mounted on theinner ends of theshafts 18 and intermediate the bevel gears 19', is a spur gear 20 whichmeshes with the pinion 2 1.

vAs shown in Fig. 2 each spur gear 20 andY gears 20 and 20 and'throughthe bevel pinions 25jA rotation will be transmitted to the and 18 willthus be rotated, thereby respectively rotating the pinions 17 and1'7,which in turn will respectively rotate in a likeA direction the spurgears 14 and 1.4.

The gearing just vdescribed is'of the ordi- A- nary differential typeand permits the gears 14 and gears .14 to rotate one faster) or slowerthan the other when the vehicle is rounding a curve. The gear Wheels 14'and the gear wheelstl4 are connected -respectivel with the carry' gwheels exi le drivnigmechanism which'will permit the free swinging ofthe two axles Land 2. 'adjacentl s ur gear 14, wheel 3 an s ur gear 14is mounted a'rectangular, tubu which the adjacent axle, 1 or 2, as thecase pms 30. Each ring' 31 at diametricall maybe, extends.

Upon diametrically opposite'sides of the axle2 each spur gear wheel 1'4is` provided with two outwardly j extending horizontalv lugs 29, whichare pivoted to the inner side of a vertical ring/31, by means oftransverse opposite sides and at right angles to the pin 30,

' are provided with transverse` holes in which are secured pins32,"which extend through the 'ring3f1 and are located in slots providedone invthe inner end of each of two arms 34 with which each drivingmember 28 at its 'Each spur gear 14 on itsouter side is yprovided -withtwo horizontal projections 29, such as are provided on the s ur gearsS14,

said projections being 1pivoted y transverse pms 30 to diametricaopposite sidesofa vertical ring 31, encirc 'ng the shaft 1 and pivote'dto .the arms 34 of the driving memer 28 by p' 32 disposed at rightangles to the pins 30.

Each driving member on both'axles 1 and 2, is provided at its outerendwith two parallel outwardly extending arms 35, which *areY 4 and 3 byBetween each carrying wheel 4 and the and .between eachar driving member28, through upper end of the shaft 4 4 pivoted .to diametricallyopposite sides of a vertical ring 36 by transverse pins 37. Uponthe hubof .each wheel 3 and 4, and at the inner side of the wheel is secured acollar 38, which is provided with two inwardly extending lugs 39,pivoted by m'eans of .transverse pins 40 to diametricallyx op vositesides ofthe adjacent ring 36 and at rig t .angles to the pins 37.

From the above description it will be seen that a universal jointconnection is made bej bevel gear 42 which meshes with the bevel gear 43secured u on and rotatable with a rotatively mounted in a vertical holeprovidedr in the upper end of the vertical portion of a right angledextension to the lower end of one of the arms 23, said ri ht angledextension being denoted by 45. ecured to the shaft` 44 by a transversepin`46 is a roller 47, located between two vfriction disks 48 rigidlysecured to and rotatable with the shaft 22. When it is designed torunthe vehicle straight ahead the shaft 44 is disposed verticallywith'the rollers 47 secured 'thereto out of contact with eitherjof thetwo friction disks 48. In order that rotation be imparted to the shaft44 and thereby to the shaft 41 through the intermediacy of 'the gears 42and 43, the lower end ofthe. shaft 44 is-loosely mounted intheprojection V45 so that the u er end ofthe shaft'44 may be 4swung lateray rintofcontact with either lof the twov frictiondisks 48. Toalternately ,swing said shaft 44 ,into frictional contact .with the twofriction disks 48 the upper end of said shaft is extended'through'avertical slot() provided in one end of a horizon-tal zontal bracket52,secured on the adjacent vertical arm' of the bracket 23.` By swingingthe lever 49 laterally iii-both directions the .may be swung soas toalternately force the roller; 47 'against the friction disks 48. By thismeans rotation of 'th/e shaft 22; will be'transmitted alternately in oposite directions to the screw threaded sha t 4,1.

Mounted on the the shaftj41 is a shaft 41 is rotated,

screw threaded portion lof is caused to move lengthwise on s aid shaftin a'- direction depending tween `the outer end of each driving membervertical shaft 44 t e lower end of which is lever 49 pivoted by avertical bolt 51 toa hori- .I

nut 53, which, 'whenthe'y upon the direction of rotation of said shaft.Disposed on o posite sides of the nut 53-are two horizontal) -okes 54and 55.Y Each end of each of sai yokes has a semi-circular portion 56which is located in a peripheral may freely.` rotate between thesemi-circular portions 56 of the 'yokes and the curved plates 56. Eachoke 54 and 55isprovided fw'ith a transverse orizontal brace 58 having atransverse hole through which extends a longitudinal horizontal pin A59which also extends through a transverse horizontal o ening in the middleportion of each yoke.

otally hconnected by vertical bolts 60 with olposite sides of the nut53. The bolts 59 are si able endwise in the openings in the yokes 54 and55 and by reason of their pivotal connection with the nut 53 the saidbolts or pins 59 will swing the yokes 54 and 55 horizontally in oppositedirections when the nut 53 is moved lengthwise of the shaft 41. In orderto steer the'vehicle to the right or left it is but -necessary to swingthe lever 49 in the proper direction so as 'to have the roller 47 engagethe roper friction disk 48. The rotation of the s aft 22-will thusrotate the shaft 44 and threaded shaft 41, as has lalready beendescribed. The shaft 41 in rotating will force the nut 53 endwise on thethreaded shaft in a direction' such that the vokes 54 and 55 will beswung so as to swing the axles 2 and 1, respectively, Vin the .properdirections. d

Various modifications of m invention bernade without departing from itsspirit.

Having Athus described'my invention, what I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:'- Y

1. Ina vehicle propelling mechanism, the combination with a vehiclefrane, of an axle pivoted to swing horizontally on said frame, twocarrying wheels mounted on said axle, two rotary .members encircling.said axle, means for impartingr rotation to said rotary l members, twoflexible driving means convnectingsaid rotary members with 'saidcarrying wheels respectively,A andmanually c'ontrolled means, actuatedby vsaid rotation im- Y Aparting means, for swinging said axle.

A 2. a vehicleupropelling mechanism, the combination with a vehicleframe, of two axles pivoted to saidV frame, four carrying wheels mountedtwo on each axle, four rotary' members mounted two on each axle,flexible driving means` respectively connecting said rotary members andsaid carrying` wheels, a rotary shaft, means for. imparting. iG51-rotation to said rotary members from said here are l thus two pins,59, which are piv 'within the scope of the appends claims maydirections.'

shaft, and manually controlled means actuated by said rotary drivingshaft for simultaneously swinging said axles in opposite directions. A

3. .In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the

' combination with a vehicle frame, of an axle 'pivoted to said frame,two carrying wheels` mounted on said axle, two rotary members mounted onsaid axle flexible driving means connecting said rotary membersand saidcarrying wheels -i'e'spectively, a rotary driving shaft, means -for4transmittingrotation from said driving shaft to. Vsaid rotary members,a screw threaded shaft, manually con-- trolled means for transmittingrotation in opposite directions from said driving shaft to said screwthreaded shaft, a nut engaging said screw threaded shaft, and means bwhich said axle is swung when said nut 1s moved lengthwise of said screwthreaded shaft.

4. In a vehicle propellin mechanism, the combination with a vehic eframe, of two axles pivoted to said frame, four carrying wheels mountedtwo on each axle, exible driving means connected' respectively tosaid-carryingwheels, four rotary members mounted 'two on each axle andconnected with said flexible driving means respectively, a rotarydriving shaft, means for transmitting rotation from said driving shaftto said four rotary members, a rotary screw threaded shaft,V manuallycontrolled means for transmitting rotationin o posite directions fromsaid driving shaft to tlie screw threaded shaft, a nut engaging saidscrew threaded A shaft, and means b which said axlesare swungsimultaneous y in opposite directionswhen said nut is movedlengthwise ofsaid screw threaded shaft. 5. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, thcombination with a vehicle frame, of an axle pivoted to said frame, twocarrying wheels mounted on said axle, two rotary members on said axle,flexible driving means connecting said rotary members and said carr ingwheels re's ctively, arotarydriving s aft,'

differentia gearing for transmitting rotation from said driving shaft tosaid rotary members, and manually controlled means actuated by saidrotary driving shaft'for swinging said axle.

6. In a vehicle propellin mechanism, the

combination with a vehice frame,- of two axles pivoted thereon, four.carrying wheels mounted two on each axle, four rotary members mounted.two on each axle, dierential gearing for transmitting rotatinfrom arotary driving shaft tosaid rotary members, flexible driving meansvconnecting said rotary members and said carrying wheels respectively,and manually controlled means actuated by said rotary driving shaft forsimultaneously swinging said axles .in opposite lll members. v

7. In alvehiclelpropelling mechanism, the combination with-two axles, offour cari ing wheels rotatively mounted, two on eac ot' -said axles,means connecting said axles and to whichA one axle is pivoted so as tobe swung in twoplanes atrightv angles 'to each other, two .rotarymembers encircling the pivoted axle, twoflexible driving mechanisms forimparting rotation respectively from-said two rotary members to thecarrying wheels mountedl Von the pivoted axle, and means for rotating ina like direction independentlyof each other said two 'rotary .by saiddrivingshaft for rotating independently of each other in 'a likedirection said two rotary members.

9. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the combination with a front and arear axle, of

' four lcarrying wheels rotativelyJmounted,

twoon each offsaid axles, means connecting said axles and to which thefront axle is pivoted so as to be swung in two planes at right angles toeach other, two rotary members encircling the front axle, twoflexibledriving mechanisms for imparting rotation from said two rotamembers respectively to the carrying whees mounted on-the front axle,

a rotary driving shaft, means actuated by' said shaft for im artingrotation in alike direction and in ependently of each otherto'the'carrying wheels mounted on the rear axle, and means actuated bysaid driving shaft for rotating in a like direction and independently ofeach other said two rotary members.

vdriving means for respectively im arting rotation from said two rotarymem ers to the carrying wheels on the front axle, a common drivingmeans,- and means actuated by said common driving means for rotating ina like direction and independently of each other said two rotarymembers.

.11. In .a vehicle propelling mechanism, f the comblnation a vehicleframe, of an axle pivoted to said-frame so as to be swung in planes atright angles to each other, two carrying wheels. mounted on` said axle,two rotary members encircling said axle and supported by said frame, twoiiexible driving means respectively connecting said rotary members' withsaid carrying wheels, and means for imparting rotation to said rotarymembers. l h

12. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the combination with -a vehicleframe, of an axle pivoted to said frame so 'as-to be swung in two planesat ri ht angles to each other, two carrying' whee s rotatively mountedon said axle, two rotary members encircling said axle and supported bysaid, frame, two iiexible driving means connecting said rotary memberswith said carrying wheels respectively, and meanso for 'rotating saidtwo rotary members in a like direction and inde'- pendently of e'achother.

13. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the combination with'a, vehicleframe, of an axle pivoted to said frainteso as to be swung' two planesat right angles to each other, two carryingwheels rotatively mounted onsaid axle, two rotary members encircling said axle and supported-by saidframe, means for ro.

t-ating said two rotary' members in a like di- I rection, and'twoflexible driving means respectively connectingf said rotary members withsai carrying wheels.

14. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the combination with a vehicleframe, of a vehicle axle, a s herical collar encircling said axle andrevolu ly mounted in said frame, two carrying wheels rbta'tively mountedon said axle, and means for rotating said vehicle direction. f

15. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the

combination with a vehicle frame, of a vehiwheels independently of eachotherin a like cle axle, a s herical collar encircling said axle andrevolu ly mounted in said frame, two rotary members encircling said axleand su ported by said frame, two carrying whee s rotatively mounted onsaid axle, means for rotating said rotary members, and two driving meansconnecting said rotary members with said carryingwheels respectively.

16. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the combination with a vehicleframe, of a vehicle axle, a spherical collar encircling said axleandrevolubly mounted in said frame, two carrying wheels rotativelymounted on said axle, two rotary members encircling said axle andsupported bysaid frame, means for rotating said two rotary members in alike direction and independently of each other, and two driving meansconnecting said rotary members with said carrying wheels respectively.

' 0 17. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the l combination with avehicle frame, of a vehiele axle, a spherical collar encircling saidaxle and revolubly mounted in said frame,two rotary members encirclingsaid axle and su f ported by said frame, two carrying whee rotativelymounted on said axle, and two flexible driving means respectivelyconnecting sind rotary members and said carrying whee s'.

combination with a vehicle frame, of a vehicle axle. two carrying wheelsrotatively mounted on'said axle, a 'spherical bearin for said vaxlelrotatively mounted in sai frame, two rotary members encircling saidaxle and supported by said frame, two driving members connected byuniversal joints respectively to the carrying wheels and 'to said tworotary members.

19. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the

combination with'a vehicle frame, of a vehicle axle connected by a balland socket joint f with said frame, two carrying wheels rotativelymounted on said axle, two rotary members encircling said axle andsupportedl by said frame, two driving members connected by universaljoints respectively to ,o said carr g wheels and to said rotarymemmembers in a like direction independently of bers, an vmeans forrotating said two rotary each other.

20. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the

combination with a-vehicle frame, of a vehicle axle, a spherical bearing4on said axle revoname to this specification lubly mounted said frame,two rotary members connected by universal joints re-A spectively ,tosaid carrying wheels and to said rotary members, a rotary driving shaft,18. In a vehicle propelling mechanism, the

and means for transmitting -rotation from said driving shaft to saidrotary members.

121. In a Vehicle propelling mechanism,ithe combination with a vehicleframe, of front and rear axles connected to'said frame, the front axlebeing pivotally connected with the frame so as to swing in two planes atright e, angles to each other, four carrying wheels rotatively mountedtwo on the front and two on the rear axles, two rotary membersencircling the front axle and supported by said frame,` two flexible'driving means Arespectively connecting said rotary members with saidcarrying wheels which are on the front axle, gear Wheels securedrespectively to the rear carrying wheels and carried thereby, and meansfor impartin rotation to said rotary members and to sai gear wheels.

In testimony whereof I have signed my subscribingw1tnesses. i

WILLIAM H. SUMMERS. Witnesses:

E. B. Housn,

l T. H. VAN DYKE.

in' presence of two

